How to Weave Shaker Chair Bottoms



The simplest way for a novice do-it-yourselfer to weave a chair for a Shaker chair starts with the checkerboard pattern. This easy under-and-over weave makes a strong and attractive Shaker seat. The 1-inch Shaker tape and other materials can be found at sewing or upholstery supply shops or shops that carry caning supplies. You can also utilize two different-colored Shaker tapes, one for the vertical or warp weave and another for the horizontal or weft weave, for an attractive look.

Remove the old Shaker tape in the chair. Use a flat-bladed screwdriver to gently pry any staples or upholstery tacks loose. Discard the old tape.

Wrap the vertical, or warp, weave first. Hammer an upholstery tack to hold the tape to the wood seat bar beneath the chair during its back. You wish to conceal that this tack from view. Wrap the Shaker tape above the top of the rear bar, pulling it forwards in a line, close to the chair’s side, and wrap it on the front bar of the chair. Keep it pulled as tight as possible. Continue wrapping back to front above the seat bars till you reach the end. Cut the tape and fasten it to the underside of the chair in the rear, as close to the side post as possible, using the upholstery tack and hammer.

Insert the foam cushion — if you purchased one or the kit came with one — involving the warp strands.

Measure and cut two little strands for each one of the triangular regions left open in the front and rear of the seat with different widths. Tack these beneath the leading rail, wrap the span above the front and securing it to the side rail as close to the rear post as possible.

Turn the chair over; begin weaving the horizontal strands on the underside first. Unwind the tape necessary for weaving the horizontal strands under and above the vertical ones. It is possible to cut the tape into the length required to make it much easier to weave. On the underside side rail of the chair, fasten the weft strand with an upholstery tack and hammer. Bring the tape above the side rail. Insert it under the first vertical strand, over the next and under the subsequent one, repeating this pattern until you reach the end.

Pull the strand over the side rail, and turn the chair upside down to weave the next row of weft strands in the same manner as you did the very best side, with under-and-over weaving. Bring the tape around and above the top rail.

Weave the second row by starting it opposite in the first row. Go over the first vertical strand, under the next and so on till you reach the side. Uneven row numbers on the top and bottom sides call for under-and-over weaving on both sides, while the row amounts call for over-and-under weaving. Alternating this manner produces a checkerboard pattern that looks fine once you utilize two different-colored tapes. When you close to the finish, you might need to use the flat-bladed screwdriver to push the strands into position. Compress the rows as required to weave the last remaining strands.

Secure the last weft strand beneath the chair, leaving enough of a tail to tuck beneath other strands.